150 years ago

July 23rd 1870

* A fire at Combe Farm, Exford, occupied by Mr Hayes, destroyed the whole of the dwelling house and part of the furniture. A good company of farmers and other helpers arrived with buckets and tools to do what they could.

* Minehead and West Somerset races provided a “day of days” for thousands of people on Minehead sands. Rustics in wagons, farmers in gigs, gentlemen on horseback, rich and poor -all poured into the town from every direction. Five steamers came from various channel ports, and all were crammed with passengers.

* Mrs Jennings, of Wiveliscombe, who was lodging in Watchet, got upon a rock by the new slip and while bathing her feet was washed away by a big wave into ten feet of water. William Chidgey, a young sailor, leaped into the sea and held Mrs Jennings up until a rescue boat arrived.

* The workmen employed upon the extensive alterations and additions at St Audries, the seat of Sir A A Hood, were invited by their employer, Mr H Davis, of Taunton, to a day’s excursion to Minehead.

100 years ago

July 24th 1920

* Minehead Urban Council meetings were so long that the surveyor was instructed to purchase armchairs for the members’ comfort. Mr T Yandle hoped this would not lead to even longer meetings!

* Among those who manager to escape from the tragic circus fire at Taunton, where four lives were lost, were Mrs W Shepherd, of Washford, with three young children.

* Mr Luttrell, chairman of Williton RDC, said an alarming feature of the annual report of the medical officer was that there had been eight deaths from the terrible disease of cancer.

The first women JPs were appointed. There were two for Somerset: Mrs Cooke-Hurle, of Bristol (later of Kilve Court), and Miss Mary Fownes Luttrell, of Dunster.

50 years ago

July 25th 1970

* Williton Parish Council decided against co-opting a new woman member who also belonged to the Women’s Institute – because there were already five WI members sitting on the authority. Cllr Fred Hutchings said: “If it goes too far, we will be singing Jerusalem, and God forbid.”

* Three parachutists, free-falling from 2,500ft above Minehead with coloured smoke, signalled the arrival of Miss World at Butlin’s.

* Mr A B Alderson retired as headmaster of Williton Primary School after 13 years. He was presented with a slide projector and a pipe, and said his years in Williton had been the happiest of his professional career.